A dual-code World Cup winner and champion boxer, Sonny Bill Williams built one of rugby’s largest fortunes across an extraordinary multi-sport career.
Sonny Bill Williams: Career Stats at a Glance
| Country | New Zealand |
|---|---|
| Position | Centre |
| International caps | 58 |
| Test points | — |
| Rugby World Cups | 2011 (winner), 2015 (winner) |
| Major honours | 2× Rugby World Cup, NRL Premiership (2004), NZ heavyweight boxing champion |
| Main clubs | Bulldogs, Crusaders, Chiefs, Toulon |
| Estimated net worth (2026) | ~£20M ($25M) |
Caps, points and honours are drawn from public career records; net-worth figures are best-available estimates and vary by source.
Early Life and Background
Sonny Bill Williams was born on 3 August 1985 in Auckland, New Zealand, and burst onto the scene as a teenage rugby league prodigy, making his NRL debut for the Canterbury Bulldogs at 18 and winning a Premiership in 2004. His blend of size, skill and athleticism made him one of the most talked-about talents in either code.
Career and Major Honours
In a controversial mid-contract move, Williams switched to rugby union and eventually to France, before returning to New Zealand and winning two Rugby World Cups with the All Blacks (2011 and 2015), earning 58 caps as a powerful, offloading centre.
Remarkably, he pursued a parallel career in professional boxing throughout, compiling an unbeaten record and becoming the New Zealand heavyweight champion — a cross-code, cross-sport résumé almost unique in modern sport, later adding stints back in rugby league and sevens.
Playing Style and Reputation
Williams was a physical phenomenon: a bulldozing yet skilful centre whose trademark offload changed games, combined with the hand speed and power of a genuine heavyweight boxer. Few athletes have excelled at the top level across as many disciplines.
Salary, Earnings and Sponsorships
His income has spanned rugby union, rugby league, boxing purses and, later, media punditry — a rare diversification that kept multiple revenue streams flowing throughout his career.
Add high-profile endorsements with brands such as Adidas, BMW and Powerade, and Williams’s estimated net worth stands at around £20 million, among the highest of any player to come through rugby.
Legacy and Standing in the Game
Sonny Bill Williams is remembered as one of the most versatile and marketable athletes of his generation — a dual-code World Cup winner and champion boxer whose star power transcended any single sport.
How Sonny’s Fortune Compares
See how Sonny compares with other rugby stars: Antoine Dupont, Owen Farrell, Maro Itoje, Johnny Sexton, Siya Kolisi, Finn Russell. For the full ranking, browse our richest rugby players guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sonny Bill Williams’s net worth in 2026?
Sonny Bill Williams’s net worth is estimated at around £20 million, built on careers across rugby union, rugby league and boxing plus endorsements.
Did Sonny Bill Williams play both rugby codes?
Yes — he won an NRL Premiership in rugby league and two Rugby World Cups in rugby union, and also boxed professionally.
Was Sonny Bill Williams a champion boxer?
Yes — he compiled an unbeaten professional record and became the New Zealand heavyweight champion.
How many World Cups did Sonny Bill Williams win?
He won two Rugby World Cups with the All Blacks, in 2011 and 2015.